Cystic Fibrosis’s Impact on Mental Health
In this powerful episode of Our Fight to Breathe, host Caleigh Haber welcomes KC White, Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and a leading voice in the CF community. KC, who holds a Master's degree in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, brings over two decades of advocacy experience and deep expertise in mental health and chronic illness management.
This conversation explores the critical intersection of cystic fibrosis and mental health, offering evidence-based strategies for building resilience and finding hope amid life's challenges. KC shares insights from positive psychology research, explaining how scientific approaches to wellbeing can be practically applied to daily life with chronic illness.
Key Topics Covered:
- The science of hope and how it impacts both mental and physical health outcomes
- PERMA framework: Five building blocks of wellbeing (Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment)
- Practical strategies for managing difficult days and building emotional resilience
- The "Three Blessings" exercise and other evidence-based interventions for cultivating gratitude
- How healthcare providers can better support patients' mental health needs
- Reframing techniques and the power of asking "what else is true?"
Whether you're living with CF, caring for someone with chronic illness, or working in healthcare, this episode offers valuable tools for enhancing mental wellbeing alongside medical care. KC's combination of lived experience and academic expertise provides both hope and practical guidance for anyone navigating health challenges.
This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare team regarding your specific situation.
Creators and Guests
Host
Caleigh Haber-Takayama
I'm Caleigh Haber, a cystic fibrosis warrior, two-time double lung transplant recipient, and passionate advocate for the chronic illness community. Born with CF, I've navigated countless surgeries and medical challenges while choosing to live each day to the fullest in honor of my donors and with deep gratitude for my supportive community. Through Fight2Breathe and my podcast "Our Fight to Breathe," I advocate for the cystic fibrosis, organ transplant, and rare disease communities, working to raise awareness and inspire others to thrive despite their challenges.
Guest
KC White
KC White is a transformational leader in the cystic fibrosis community who has dedicated over two decades to advocacy, education, and building purposeful communities. Diagnosed with CF at age three in 1981, KC began her advocacy journey early, speaking at her first event at just nine years old. Currently serving as Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (since 2022), KC has held numerous leadership roles including chairing the Foundation's Adult Advisory Council since its inception in 2014. She co-chaired the first BreathCon in 2016 and helped create ROSE UP in 2020, demonstrating her commitment to elevating voices within the CF community. KC holds a Master's degree in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied under Dr. Martin Seligman, the founder of positive psychology. She now serves as an assistant instructor in the program, bridging academic research with lived experience. Her graduate work focused on the science of hope and its impact on individuals living with chronic illness. Beyond her CF advocacy, KC is the head varsity women's lacrosse coach at her local high school and coaches athletes on mental performance and toughness. A lifelong athlete who has exercised daily since age four, KC embodies the philosophy of her grandfather's "11th commandment": "thou shalt go for it." KC's unique combination of personal experience, academic expertise, and leadership experience makes her a sought-after speaker and mentor in both the CF community and the broader field of positive psychology and chronic illness management